The original two came about as a result of my pleading and exhaustive researching. OH made it really clear we would not be adding to our herd, we were only having this single boar pair. OH came to love Tubs and Flubs just as much as me in time -- that bond was made really special when we had a bad scare with Tubs and he scampered halfway over Rainbow Bridge.
After it was clear Tubs and Flubs had fallen out, we only planned to let them have a sow each after they were neutered, for a max of 4. However, Tubs got two ladies due to his illness, we didn't want to go through the hassle of separating the baby sisters we had gotten and we thought 2 babies might make him perk up... so OH said Flubs better have a pair of girls as well.
When Tablet (Flub's wifey) had 3 surprise babies, I was all for rehoming them. OH fell in love and wouldn't let me, in the end. So we both agreed 9 pigs is the max we can manage, though I do often grumble about my wish for "only" 4 pigs.
Then we started fostering for the local rescue. We currently have two older gentleboars. I had an agreement with the rescue where we would swap out the pigs every month or so, to allow more pigs to get the benefit of one-to-one care and attention. It also meant we wouldn't get attached. We've had our current foster boars for 3 months and the OH is finding it hard to discuss giving them back. We absolutely
cannot have 11 perma-pigs, but what can I do, he's a big softie.
It does make me laugh that originally he was like "TWO guinea pigs is the MAXIMUM" and now I'm the one talking about having too many pigs
